Europe is lagging behind in sustainable aviation fuels, CEOs warn. The European aviation sector faces serious challenges in meeting sustainable fuel targets, senior industry executives have warned. A lack of adequate infrastructure and slow progress in sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) production jeopardize meeting the climate goals set by the European Union.

Airlines and aircraft manufacturers have expressed concern about the lack of incentives and government support to accelerate the adoption of SAF. This type of fuel, which can reduce carbon emissions by up to 80% compared to conventional kerosene, still accounts for less than 1% of total aviation fuel consumption in Europe. Willie Walsh, director general of the International Air Transport Association (IATA), emphasized that the industry is committed to the transition to more sustainable aviation, but emphasized that without sufficient SAF production at competitive prices, airlines will face difficulties in achieving emissions reduction targets.

One of the main obstacles identified is the shortage of SAF production plants in Europe. Despite climate commitments and regulations such as “ReFuelEU Aviation,” which requires 2% of aviation fuel to be SAF by 2025, the industry warns that investments in infrastructure and production are not progressing at the necessary pace. Benjamin Smith, CEO of Air France-KLM, mentioned that while European regulations set ambitious goals, the lack of economic incentives and a coherent policy could put European airlines at a disadvantage compared to competitors in other regions where SAF receives greater subsidies and state support.

If Europe fails to boost the production of sustainable fuels, airlines could be forced to pass on additional costs to passengers, which would affect the sector’s competitiveness. Furthermore, this could lead to a dependence on SAF imports from other regions, making it difficult to meet climate targets and increasing logistics costs.

Industry associations have urged the European Union to implement more aggressive policies to encourage local SAF production, including financial incentives and public-private partnerships that accelerate the transition to more sustainable aviation. The future of sustainable aviation in Europe depends largely on the region’s ability to develop a robust and affordable SAF supply chain. Without urgent and coordinated measures, the industry could fall behind in the race toward decarbonization, affecting both the competitiveness of European airlines and global climate commitments.

Source and Credits to Reuters 

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